San Jose Earthquakes seek replacement for Simon Dawkins

SAN JOSE -- The Earthquakes are trying to find a replacement for English striker Simon Dawkins, whose move to Aston Villa last week has changed San Jose's plans for the upcoming MLS season.

Coach Frank Yallop said Tuesday the club is holding talks with other players whom he didn't identify.

"We're not going to panic," he said. "It's got to be a real top-notch player."

Yallop acknowledged how difficult it will be to find someone as talented as Dawkins at the price they got him the past two seasons in loan deals with Tottenham Hotspur. The team paid the player about $50,000 last year, according to salary figures provided by the MLS Players Union.

The Quakes didn't make many offseason moves because management liked the group it assembled for a record-breaking season in 2012. Dawkins was a key piece of the high-octane offense with eight goals.

San Jose made Tottenham "a great offer" with a "large amount of money" but the English Premier League club rejected the deal, Yallop said. "There is not much we could do," he added.

The team still might try to work out a deal with Dawkins during the transfer window in June when his contract with Tottenham ends. But if the striker does well at Villa Park his chances of returning to Major League Soccer would be slim.

The loss of Dawkins is just one concern with the season opener against Real Salt Lake about a month away. The Quakes are far from ready for the long season after winning the Supporters' Shield last year.

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Some of the regulars recovering from injuries are Steven Beitashour, Mehdi Ballouchy, Marvin Chavez, Alan Gordon, Jason Hernandez and Steven Lenhart. Chavez is out four to six weeks with an MCL knee sprain.

"I'm a little nervous," Yallop said. "I've not seen many of our guys yet."

The coach also was happy to welcome back Chris Wondolowski and Justin Morrow after a three-week session with the U.S. national team. Neither player made the traveling roster for the World Cup qualifying match Wednesday at Honduras.

Center back Victor Bernardez starts for Honduras and is expected to miss time with the Quakes during the CONCACAF qualifying tournament.